Apparatus for washing and cementing oil wells



April .25, 1939. J. E. TERRILL.

APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND CEMENTING OIL. WELLSl Filed Feb. 4, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l TocEMENT ANDy WATER PUMP OUTLET FOR WA TER STRATUM .M mw l@ AR WT April 25, 1939.

1.1. E, vTERRILL APPARATUS FOR WASHING ANDvCEMENTING -OIL WELLS Filed Feb. 4, 1938 '2 sheets-sheet 2 ,Wag

Patented Apr. V2.5, 1939 s PATENT ori-ICE APPARATUS Foa WASHING AND CEMENT- ING on. WELLS `James E. Terrill, Joinetville, Tex'. Application February 4, 1938,;seriai No. 188.752

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for washing and cementing oil Wells.

The invention has for itsobject to provide for ,a clean hole before the cement is run into the Well.

The Invention has for its further object to insure for the cleaning medium being directed against the bottom andI up along the sides of the well to provide a clean hole; and for the cement being directed against the bottom and up along the sides of the well to insure for the plugging of a definite amount of the depth of the well.

The invention has for its further object to provide an annular imperforate sleeve or liner con- !I stituting a director for the cleaning medium and lcement and further for coacting with the cement to provide a. plug anchored to the bottom and to the sides of the well below the oil stratum.

A further object of the invention resides in the utilization of a director for the purpose aforesaid having connected therewith a valve controlled cement arresting means to prevent the i backing up of the cement when the latter coacts with the director to provide the plug.

- A further obj ect of the invention resides in the combining with the director and arresting means aforesaid a perforated sleeve forming a by-,pass for the cleaning medium when flowing in an outward direction during the washing operation 'lo to clean the hole, and further acting for discharging the cleaning medium into the well when such medium is employed to remove surplus cement which has been supplied to coact with the director to form the plug` at the bottom u of the well for sealing the water stratum.

A further object of the invention resides in the utilization of a tubing for selectively supplying the cleaning medium and cement slurry directly into and through the director aforesaid and g also for supplying the cleaning medium-directly 'into the perforated sleeve for passage therefrom into the hole.

A further object ofthe invention resides in the means whereby all sand, rotary mud and oil may be removed through the well casing to insure a clean Vhole before the cement is run.

Embodying' the objects aforesaid and to. others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of a method of andan apparatus for 50 washing and cementing oil wells as hereinafter set forth, but it is to be understood that changes,

variations and modifications may .1 be resorted to which fall within the scope'of the invention Y as claimed.

Il In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates, in vertical section the simulation of an oil well showing the adaptation therewith of an apparatus for carrying out the method in accordance with this invention. The apparatus is shown partly in vertical section, 5

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ap- Y paratus'broken away and upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 3 is. a fragmentary view partly in elevation and vertical section of elements of the apparatus disassembled, Y

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-.-4, Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a section'on line 6 6, Figure 2,

l Figure 7 is a side elevation of a modied form, and

Figure 8 is a side elevation of another modified form. v

With reference to Figure 1, an oil well is indicated at into which depends for a portion of its depth a casing string Il. Below the latter 20 ls the oil stratum 9 and the water stratum I0. The bottom and sides of the wall are indicated at II, I2 respectively. The foregoing is illustrated by way of example so as to show the adaptation with an oil well of awashing and cementing apparatus in accordance with this invention. 1 A

The apparatus includes a coupler element I3 formed of an annular sleeve-like body I4 and an internal integral web I5 which constitutes an $0 abutment for arresting back flow of the cement from the inner or lower liner to be referred to. The inner face of body I4 consists of anintermediate portion I6, an upper end portion- I1 and a. lower end portion I8. The intermediate portion I6 is of uniform diameter and the web I I5 is integral with the intermediate portion I6 adjacent one side of its transverse median. The upper end portion I1 gradually increases in internal diameter from the 'upper end of the 1n' 40 termediate'portion I6 to the upper end I9 of body I4 and is formed throughout with threads. The lowerend portion I8 gradually increases in internal diameter from the lowerl end of the intermediate portion IS to the lower end 2li of body I4 45 and is threaded throughout.

The web I5 merges into a sleeve 2l arranged in coaxial relation with respect to body I4. The sleeve 2| is of materially lessv length and diameter than the body I4. 'The web I5 merges 50 into the sleeve 2|- at a point in close proximity to the lower end of the latter. The inner face of f sleeve 2 I ,vat its'transverse median, is formed with an annular flange 22 forming superposed shoulders 23, 24. AThe upper portion 25 of the inner 55 face of sleeve 2| increases in internal diameter from the shoulder 23 to the Iupper end 280i the:

sleeve and is formed with left hand threads throughout. The lower portion 21 of the inner face of sleeve 2| increases ininternal diameter.

from the shoulder 24 to the lower end -28 of the `,1eeve and 1s threaded throughout. 'rhethreeds' end terminal portion 3| of sleeve 30 has its outer periphery tapered and threaded. 'Ihe portion 3| extends into the'body I4 and its threads engagewith the threaded inner face portion I8 of the body I4 whereby elements I3 and -29 are connected together. The outer diameter of element 29 is less than the outer diameter of element I3.

The element 29 may be termed a blank liner and is open at each end.

vThe apparatus includes a check valve unit 3 2 which is suspended from coupler element I3 and `extends into the director element 29. The unit 32consists of a tubular member 33 open at each end and having 'areduced upperend -p'art 34, an

enlarged lower end part 35 and a tapered inter-- mediate part 33 which merges into the lower end of part 34 and into the upper end of part 35. The part 36 constitutes a seat for a ball valve 31 loosely arranged within the part 35. Extending diametrically of and anchored to the outer end of part 35 is a valve stop or confiner 38. 'I'he end part 34 has a portion of the length of its outer periphery tapered and threaded, as at 39, for engagement with the portion 21 of-the inner face of :sleeve 2| of the element I3 whereby ele-v ment 32 is connected to, suspended from and disposed in `coaxial relation with respect to element I3.

The apparatus includes an annular perforated hner 40 in the form of an elongated sleeve which has the outer periphery of the end. terminal por'- tion"4| thereof tapered and threaded. The por- .tion ,4I'extends into the element I3 and engages l the tapered threaded portion I1 of the inner face of element` I3 thereby connecting liner 43 and element I3 together. The liner 40 extends 'into thelower portion of casing 3. Connected to .the upper end ofthe casing 3 is a removable head structure provided with. a valve controlled water or cleaning medium outlet pipe 4,15y

and a valved water and cement conducting line 46 which leads from a water supply 'audacement supply pump not| shown.

The apparatus includes a conductor element v 41 common to the washing medium and the cement slurry. The element 41 isin the form oi' an elongated tube-attached to the head structure 44 forcommunication with the line v46. The lower end terminal portion 48 of the element 41 has .its outer periphery tapered and formed with left handthreads for coaction with the threaded portion 25 of the inner face of sleeve 2| whereby the conductor element 41 is detachably connected to element I3.-

When the apparatus is employed to carry out the first and second steps of the method, the conductor element 41 is connected to the sleeve 2| ofthe coupler element I3 for the purpose of supplying, rst, water through sleeve 2| and valve unit 32 and then into and through director element 29 into the well at the bottom thereof.

Ament 29 frombacking up into 4 element.29 to the' bottom of the well and backs up between the director element 29 and wall of the well, entering liner 40 through the perforations of the latter, and also up through oil string casing 8 to the surface of the ground, washing with it all sand, rotary mud and oil, insuring a clean hole before the cement is` run. In the present method of usingonly the tubing for I washing the well out, it is impossible to wash the side walls and bottom clean.

After washing, the required amount of cement slurry is pumped into the conductor element 41 and followed up with Water to force all of the cement out of the conductor element 41 into the bottom of the hole. After pressure has been ape plied to the cement, the conductor element 41 is backed off of sleeve 2|, raised and more water pumped through element 41 to wash out the excess cement in the event there was a miscalculation in the amount of cement needed, pressureA is again applied and let set until cement has become hard. K

With respect te the h1ank1mer-2a1taoes not only direct the water, during the washing to clean out the bottom and direct the water along the -sides 'of the well, but insures a definite amount of the depth of-.the well to be plugged off. Even where there is an insuiiicient amount of cement, it will still make a solid plug ii' there is suilicient cement to fill the lower end of such liner, as the amount of water which follows the cement up is measured to displace all cement in the conductor element 41, sleeve 2| and the valve unit 32.

The element I3 not only'acts as a coupler, but further functions as a retainer for the cement. 'I'he valve unit 32, carried by the coupler element I3 actsr after the pressure has been applied to the cement and the conductor element 41 disconnected from sleeve 2| to wash out surplus cement, to prevent the cement in directing ele-y the sleeve 2|. After the method has been completed, the element 41 is removed, but the elements I3, 29, 33 and 40 in their secured together position are anchored in the bottom of the Well. Y

The elements I3, 29, 33, 43 and 41 will be hereinafter referred to respectively in the claims as an annular body formed intermediate its ends with an internal abutment carrying a sleeve, an imperforated liner, a valve structure, a perforated liner, and a conduit for and'common to a washingA and a cementing medium. Y The elements I3, 29, 33, 40 will also be hereinafter referred to in the clamsas an anchored controllable directing unit common to the washing andsealng medium and with the unit consisting of an upper or outer perforated liner, a lower imperforate liner, a combined coupling and abutment element interposed between and connecting the liners together, and means for controlling communication' between said liners. The directing unit is controlled by the conductor 41 The directing unit is anchored by the directed sealing or cementing medium acting to seal' the bottom of the wall and the water stratum.

With reference to Figure 7 the form shown thereby will' be the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, with this exception that there is substituted for the perforated liner 40 an imperforate liner 49. In Figure 7 the coupler element for the liners 49, is designated 5I and the'conduit or tube common to a washing and acement medium at 52.

A The liners 49, 50 and the coupler element 5| are permanently connected together to form a unit. The conduit 52 extends through liner 49 and opens into and is detachably connected to element 5|. in proximity to the bottom of the latter by the conduit 52. Water is then pumped into the latter and conducted through thefcoupler element 5l and the liner 50 to the bottom of the well and back upbetween liner 50, element 5I and liner 49, entering well casing' andback to the surface. After enough water has been pumped to wash the well walls clean, then. cement is pumped into the conduit 52 following the same course as the Water to a point at the lower portion of the well casing. The cement'will form a solid wall within j the liner 50 and a wall between the well walls and the liners 49, 50. Conduit 52 is then detached and water supplied to liner 49. 'I'he water rebounds against the coupler element 5| and passes up washing out all excess cement. After the cement has had time to set, the conduit 52 is removed and a perforating gun is run into the wall and-perforates liner 49 at any point above element 5|.

It is to be` understood that the unit shown in Figure 7, consisting of the liners 49, 50 and the coupler element 5I, may be suspended from any well known type of hanger capable of being positioned respectively to provide for the outflow of the washing medium through the well casing and to arrest the cement passing upwardly through the casing from the upper end of liner 49h With respect to this arrangement the hanger, not shown, is to be connected to liner 49.

In the modified form shown in Figure 8 it discloses the upper liner indicated at 52a and which is imperfrate and a coupler element indicated at 53 attached to the lower end of the liner 52a.

The coppler element 53 is of the same form and construction as elements I3, 5l and includes the valve unit shown in Figure 2. The lower liner is omitted. The liner 52a is connected to a hanger or packer 54 which is employed to anchor liner 52a and the coupler element 53 in the lower portion of the well. After the well has been lled to the desired extent with cement, which is prevented from backing up into the liner 52a by the valve unit lon the coupler element 53, the liner 52 can be perforated by gunning without having to '.drill cement therefrom.

`ment provided with an upstanding sleeve registering with said aperture, a valve structure 'depending from and permanently communicating with said sleeve, an imperforateannular liner attached to and depending from the lower end of said body, normally communicating with said sleeve and adapted to be closed to the latter by said structure on back flow of a cementing medium, a perforated annular liner attached to and The unit is lowered into the well to a point extending upwardly from the upper end of said body, a conductor for and common to a washing and a cementing medium for selectively supplying said mediums to the sleeve, and said conductor and sleeve having coacting means for'detachably connecting them together at the other end of the sleeve, said conductor when detachedfrom the sleeve providing for supplying the cleaning medium to the perforated liner.

2. In an oil well, washing and cementing apparatus, a controllable directing unit common to a washing medium and a cementing medium and adapted to be anchored in the lower portion Iof thev well by the cementing medium applied to the bottom of the well and to the water stratum, said unit `including an upper perforated annular liner, a lower irnperforate annular liner, an upstanding annularcoupling element interposed between and connecting said liners together, said element being formed intermediate its ends with an axially apertured horizontally disposed web constituting an abutment provided with means registering with the aperture for detachably connecting to said element a conductor common to washing and cementing mediums, and means depending from the web and communicating with said aperture to prevent back flow of the cementing medium completely through said element.

3. In an.oil well washing and cementing apparatus, a controllable directing unit common to a washing medium and` a cementing medium and adapted to be anchored in the lower portion of the well by the cementing medium applied to the bottom of the well and to the water stratum, said unit including an upper perforated annular liner, a lower imperforate annular liner, an upstanding annular coupling element interposed between and connecting said liners together, said element being formed intermediate its ends with an axially apertured horizontally disposed web constituting an abutment provided with means registering with the aperture for detachably connecting to ,said element a conductor common to washing -and cementing mediums, and means depending from the web and communicating with said aperture to prevent back flow of the cementing medium completely through said element, said liners being all of like diameter and of less diameter than said element.

4. In an oil well washing and cementing apparatus, a controllable directing unit common to a washing medium and a cementing medium and adapted to be anchored in the lower portion of the well by the cementing medium applied to the bottom of the well and to the water stratum, said unit including an upper perforated annular liner, a lower imperi'orte annular liner, an upstanding annular 'coupling element interposed between and connecting said liners together, said element being formed intermediate its ends with an axially apertured horizontally disposed web constituting an abutment provided with means registering with the aperture for detachably connecting to said element a conductor common to Washing and cementing mediums, and means depending from the web and communicating with said aperture to prevent back flow of the cementing medium completely through said element, the said means for preventing back flow being disposed in coaxial relation with respect to said element.

5. In an oil well washing and cementing apparatus, a controllable directing unit common to a washing1 rriedium and a cementing medium and Well by the cementing medium applied to the bot- CTI tom of the well and to the water stratum, said unit including an upper perforated annular liner, a lower imperforate annular liner, an upstanding annular coupling element interposed between and connecting said liners together, said element beingv formed intermediate its ends with a horizontally disposed axially apertured abutment. means depending from said abutment to prevent back ow of the cementing medium completely through said element, said means being disposed in coaxialv relation with respect to saidvelement, and means detachably connected to said abutment for selectively supplying the washing medium and the cementing medium to said lower liner -and 'for selectively supplying the washing medium to said upper liner.

6. In an oil well washing and cementing apparatus a unit common to and for the selective passage therethrough of a washing medium and a cementing medium, said unit including an upper tubular lineropen at each end, a lower tubular liner open at each end and a coupling element interposed between and connected to -adjacent aligned terminal portions of said liners for coupling them together, said element being formed interiorly thereof with valve `means to prevent the backing. up therethrough of 'the cementing medium.

7. In an oil well Washing and cementing apparatus a unit common to and for the selective passage therethrough of a washing medium and a cementing medium, said unit including an upper tubular liner open at each end, a lower tubular liner open at each end and an upstanding coupling element interposed between and having inserted therein and connected thereto aligned terminal portions of said liners for coupling them together, Said element, intermediateits ends being formed interiorly thereof with valve means to prevent the backing up of the cementing medium into its upper portion a conductor for selectively supplying a washing medium and a cementing to said element, said conductor and element having coacting means for detachably connecting the conductor to the element, said conductor when connected to said element being extended into said upper liner.

8. In an oil Well washing and cementing apparatus a. unit common to and for the selective passage therethrough of a washing medium and la cementing medium, said unit including an upper tubular liner open at each end, a lower tubular liner open at each end and an upstanding coupling element interposed between and having extending therein aligned and terminal portions of said liners for coupling them together,` said I element, intermediate its ends being formed interiorly thereof with valve means to prevent the backing up of the cementingA medium into its upperportion, the bodies of said liners being solid throughout.

9. In an oil well washing and cementing apparatus a unit common to and for the selective passage therethrough of a washing medium and a cementing medium, said unit including an upper tubular liner open at each end, a lower tubular liner open at each end and an upstanding coupling element interposed between and having inserted therein and connected thereto aligned terminal portions of said liners for coupling them together, said element, intermediate its ends being formed interiorly thereof with valve means to prevent the backing up ofv the cementing medium into its upper portion, the body of said lower liner being solid throughout, land the body of said upper liner being formed with spaced perforations.

JAMES E. TERRIIIL. 

